On the rational integrals of two-dimensional natural systems (Q6175216)

The authors investigate a mechanical system with two degrees of freedom, with the potential being a meromorphic function of the coordinates. The problem is formulated as follows: Assuming the existence of a conserved quantity in the form of a certain rational function of the momenta, with analytic coefficients in the coordinates, the authors prove that this also leads to a conserved quantity linear in the momenta. This also restricts the class of possible potentials, which the authors provide. The essential result used by the authors is a theorem due to Saleeby, who had classified meromorphic solutions of the generalized Burgers' equation. The rest of the analysis is an algebraic exercise and the complete computational details are given.